Stinger arrival date

[eljay]

I just spoke to a local dealership (in the San Gabriel Valley area of Southern California) and she says that they are expecting to have Stingers in stock, not just demonstrators, by the end of October or the beginning of November. They are not taking pre-orders. I'm doubtful about the accuracy of those dates, although she did do "research" and call me back with this information, so she wasn't just slinging dates off the top of her head.

I also called a Buick dealer in the same area. They say that the Regal GS is scheduled to be on the lot in October.

Do any of the rest of you have info from dealers that either confirms or refutes this?

 

[STNGRNV]

My dealer has not been helpful. They keep trying to get me to buy a Optima (even after I told them that the Stinger is the only Kia I'm interested in). The last email he sent said "There may be some incentives available now on the 2018 Kia Stinger, that were not available at that time." I emailed him back...crickets. That was a week ago. I'm probably gonna contact another dealer (there are 3 others) because these guys think I'm an idiot, and I hate playing car salesman games.

 

[AJL13]

I just spoke to a local dealership (in the San Gabriel Valley area of Southern California) and she says that they are expecting to have Stingers in stock, not just demonstrators, by the end of October or the beginning of November. They are not taking pre-orders. I'm doubtful about the accuracy of those dates, although she did do "research" and call me back with this information, so she wasn't just slinging dates off the top of her head.

I also called a Buick dealer in the same area. They say that the Regal GS is scheduled to be on the lot in October.

Do any of the rest of you have info from dealers that either confirms or refutes this?

Thanks for the info. I'm in the Central Coast area of CA and was curious about availability around these parts.

 

[Jumpy]

My dealer has not been helpful. They keep trying to get me to buy a Optima (even after I told them that the Stinger is the only Kia I'm interested in). The last email he sent said "There may be some incentives available now on the 2018 Kia Stinger, that were not available at that time." I emailed him back...crickets. That was a week ago. I'm probably gonna contact another dealer (there are 3 others) because these guys think I'm an idiot, and I hate playing car salesman games.

Why would they think you're an idiot?

My dealer is no better than yours, lol...these people are clueless.

 

[STNGRNV]

I guess this is one reason why Kia will struggle in the luxury market - Stereotypical car salesmen.

 

[CoconutRob]

When I called my local dealers I spoke with sales manager. I do not care for most dealership salesman and always know more about the vehicle then them. I wish all auto companies would take Tesla sales aproach (here is the price, buy it or don't buy it, and why not online sales.

 

[Merkur720]

A dealer in Dallas told me that they will be arriving in California first. Then the east coast. They however will have a showroom car in the next three weeks. However you can't drive it. Just able to sit in it.

 

[jwhollan]

I have two dealers near me. The closest one I went to first a couple of weeks ago and the guy I talked to had never heard of the Stinger. He googled it and was like "wow, I can see why your interested in it"... Then gave me his card and told me he'd keep in touch when he heard anything. About 4 days later he emailed me saying it was a pleasure working with me on my Optima purchase...... I didn't purchase an Optima...

The second one was much more sane. The guy had definitely heard about it and seemed almost as excited as me, but he went on to say I'd be able to learn more from youtube and the internet than I would from him, because they are always the last to know anything. His boss that he tried to go talk to for possibly more info seemed to know even less because he asked me if I was interested in the FWD or the RWD....

So basically I've given up on the dealerships and will rely on you fine people to tell me when to go buy one

 

[Merkur720]

Again.... the dealer network experience needs to improve for people to feel confident about spending $45,000+ for a KIA. They still market hamsters driving the Soul....right next to the K900. ‍

 

[CTBumpkin]

CT dealer still saying January is most likely, but this time he did say "January/February." Expects pricing in November.

 

[ballistic]

Again.... the dealer network experience needs to improve for people to feel confident about spending $45,000+ for a KIA. They still market hamsters driving the Soul....right next to the K900. ‍

i think they might need to start changing their approach. the hampsters did really good for their cheaper cars and the k900 was bearly on anyone's radar and the hampsters probably didn't hurt it. but now with the stinger, they're going upmarket with a car not priced out of range of nearly everyone. so they're going to need to get a little more serious with their marketing while still being cool enough for their typical customers.

CT dealer still saying January is most likely, but this time he did say "January/February." Expects pricing in November.

february, wtf?! i've been hearing november for a long time. i'll be really disappointed if we can't get our hands on this car until february of 2018.

 

[hej]

I have two dealers near me. The closest one I went to first a couple of weeks ago and the guy I talked to had never heard of the Stinger. He googled it and was like "wow, I can see why your interested in it"... Then gave me his card and told me he'd keep in touch when he heard anything. About 4 days later he emailed me saying it was a pleasure working with me on my Optima purchase...... I didn't purchase an Optima...

The second one was much more sane. The guy had definitely heard about it and seemed almost as excited as me, but he went on to say I'd be able to learn more from youtube and the internet than I would from him, because they are always the last to know anything. His boss that he tried to go talk to for possibly more info seemed to know even less because he asked me if I was interested in the FWD or the RWD....

So basically I've given up on the dealerships and will rely on you fine people to tell me when to go buy one

It's highly likely the email you got was automated and the software used for it doesn't have the Stinger in it's database yet. Odds are the salesman had no control over this if he did his job as he was instructed to do it.

 

[hej]

CT dealer still saying January is most likely, but this time he did say "January/February." Expects pricing in November.

All indications from Kia so far are that we'll have the car itself around November.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I have two dealers near me. The closest one I went to first a couple of weeks ago and the guy I talked to had never heard of the Stinger. He googled it and was like "wow, I can see why your interested in it"... Then gave me his card and told me he'd keep in touch when he heard anything. About 4 days later he emailed me saying it was a pleasure working with me on my Optima purchase...... I didn't purchase an Optima...

The second one was much more sane. The guy had definitely heard about it and seemed almost as excited as me, but he went on to say I'd be able to learn more from youtube and the internet than I would from him, because they are always the last to know anything. His boss that he tried to go talk to for possibly more info seemed to know even less because he asked me if I was interested in the FWD or the RWD....

So basically I've given up on the dealerships and will rely on you fine people to tell me when to go buy one

As a certified car nut, I just can't imagine how or why car sales people would not have knowledge of the product the sell. Then again, I'm the "nut".

 

[eljay]

As a certified car nut, I just can't imagine how or why car sales people would not have knowledge of the product the sell. Then again, I'm the "nut".

Ah, a different world. My dad was in sales--A/C--and attended all the vendors' new equipment presentations, read all the spec notebooks from cover to cover, etc. But that was his career, and I don't know how many "career" car sales reps there are out there now. [For instance, one of my teaching colleagues sold cars every summer break.] I think the enthusiasts are mostly working in the service department.

Which is why I'm thankful to have access to the collected wisdom of the Forum.

 

[Taimaishoo]

I just spoke to 2 KIA dealerships in my area and one of them heard of the Stinger but other than that, they don't have anymore information. The other dealership, not only heard of it, he brought me in and took me into an area behind the showroom and introduced me due a guy behind the computer. For the life of me, I can't remember his name right now.... I'm bad with names but I can tell the difference between twins at 1000 paces... Anyway, he's like yeah! the Stinger! You aren't going to believe this but yesterday I got to go to our car depot here in town and got to see about 30 of them, still in their wrappers and everything! He said that the ones he saw are the showroom/show cars, like someone said in an earlier post, and they they won't be driven for test purposes or whatnot that they didn't even get to hear them start. And he proceeded to rub it in my face by showing me pictures on his phone, the tease! And the red with the red interior.... DROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!

The dealer's in my area don't take deposits and can't take any orders because they don't know when they are going to start being able to sell them, what options, packages, etc. He said that they should start getting information and brochures in over the next couple of weeks.

While he wasn't able to give me exact figures or timelines, it seems the general consensus is correct. Probably about mid to late October at the earliest (November sounds more likely) and probably upper 20's for the starting range of the 2.0T and probably low to mid 40's for the all decked out 3.3TT. I shit you not, this was me going through all the emotions including the voice as I tried to shove my checkbook at him! LOL

EDIT: He stated that while he was allowed to show me the pictures he took, he was not allowed to share them.

EDIT: EDIT: Damnit! I don't know how or why this slipped my mind, but if the pictures he showed me were legit, then we MAY be getting Stingers... <drum roll>......... with E BADGES! The pictures he showed me had an E badge on the steering wheel. Now, granted, he did say the pictures were of showroom cars, but you never know!

 

[STNGRNV]

This sounds encouraging. I hope it pans out.

 

[Kia Stinger]

I just spoke to 2 KIA dealerships in my area and one of them heard of the Stinger but other than that, they don't have anymore information. The other dealership, not only heard of it, he brought me in and took me into an area behind the showroom and introduced me due a guy behind the computer. For the life of me, I can't remember his name right now.... I'm bad with names but I can tell the difference between twins at 1000 paces... Anyway, he's like yeah! the Stinger! You aren't going to believe this but yesterday I got to go to our car depot here in town and got to see about 30 of them, still in their wrappers and everything! He said that the ones he saw are the showroom/show cars, like someone said in an earlier post, and they they won't be driven for test purposes or whatnot that they didn't even get to hear them start. And he proceeded to rub it in my face by showing me pictures on his phone, the tease! And the red with the red interior.... DROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL!

The dealer's in my area don't take deposits and can't take any orders because they don't know when they are going to start being able to sell them, what options, packages, etc. He said that they should start getting information and brochures in over the next couple of weeks.

While he wasn't able to give me exact figures or timelines, it seems the general consensus is correct. Probably about mid to late October at the earliest (November sounds more likely) and probably upper 20's for the starting range of the 2.0T and probably low to mid 40's for the all decked out 3.3TT. I shit you not, this was me going through all the emotions including the voice as I tried to shove my checkbook at him! LOL

EDIT: He stated that while he was allowed to show me the pictures he took, he was not allowed to share them.

EDIT: EDIT: Damnit! I don't know how or why this slipped my mind, but if the pictures he showed me were legit, then we MAY be getting Stingers... <drum roll>......... with E BADGES! The pictures he showed me had an E badge on the steering wheel. Now, granted, he did say the pictures were of showroom cars, but you never know!

It sounds like you were in the right place at the right time! It's good to know that people at the dealerships are getting excited about this car. Mid to late October sounds really great but I won't hold my breath. I agree that November sounds more likely. It would be great if Kia brought the car here, for sale, with the E badge. The winged Genesis badge had people asking lots of questions. For some people it raised eyebrows to learn it was a Hyundai. For others, it only raised criticism. But at least about half were intrigued! Whereas otherwise they'd have just discounted it as "only a Hyundai". I'm sure a lot of that will happen with a Kia badge on the Stinger. Worst case scenario, people will swap badges like they did with the Genesis cars and get lots of "what is that?" questions.

 

[llhost]

A dealer in Dallas told me that they will be arriving in California first. Then the east coast. They however will have a showroom car in the next three weeks. However you can't drive it. Just able to sit in it.

East side of DFW here and was told yesterday that they were originally told november, then january for a floor model and each dealership will only be getting one, but that there has been a blackout on info other than that.

 

[Taimaishoo]

East side of DFW here and was told yesterday that they were originally told november, then january for a floor model and each dealership will only be getting one, but that there has been a blackout on info other than that.

I want to like your post but a the same time, it makes me sad. hehe

Well, if each dealership will be getting one, it better the one I want! LOL I gave them my number and said, "Call me! If it's one at least with the option I want, I will drive it off the lot the same day." The salesman couldn't get his pen out of his pocket fast enough. LOL As of yet, I'm the only one that has shown interest at both dealerships in my area. Then again, they haven't started any advertising in this area yet. Unless I am out of town for work that day, I can be at the dealership in 30 minutes or less. Does that mean I get it free?